FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1029, 6 January 1882, Page 3

FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

BALCLUTHA, December 30. As the 4 40 train from Balclutha to Clinton reached Kaihiku bridge, a horse was seen on the line. It was too late to stop the train, and the horse was caught by the cowcatcher and carried ten yards, when the engine run off the line down the embankment. 10ft deep. The driver at once shut off the stream and ran off the water. The train consisted of 15 trucks aud a van. The engine and tender and seven trucks ran off the line. The tender is lying on its side across the end of the engine, and some trucks are on each side of the line. The stoker, Joseph Woodcock, is lying under the tender. Death was instantaneous. James Blackwood, a water pumper at Waiwera, was caught by the foot between the engine and the tender. Every exertion was made to release him, hut this was not accomplished at 9.15 p.m., when tho reporter lefc. No one else was hurt. Tho rails of the line are considerably twisted and damaged ; the engine is much damaged, but the trucks are apparently not injured. The accident happened at 5 30. There were only' three passengers by the train, and all escaped without injury. ’ -Mr Chisholm, the Inspector of Permanent Way, arrived at 8 45, and proceeded to clear the line. I ,ater. Blackwood was released and brought on to Balclutha. He is not dangerously injured.